Controlling a Voice Site Using Non-Standard Haptic Commands

ABSTRACT

A method for controlling a voice site using a haptic input modality. The method includes validating a haptic input from an instrument capable of accessing a voice site, processing the haptic input on a server to determine a voice site command corresponding to the haptic input, and processing the voice site command at the server to control an interaction with the voice site.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/196,161, filed Aug. 2, 2011, and incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention generally relate to information technology,and, more particularly, to voice sites.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The World Wide Telecom Web (also referred to as Spoken Web) containsinterconnected voice applications (called as VoiceSites or voice sites)that can be accessed by any regular phone. In conjunction with existingapproaches, a voice site can support speech (spoken word) or dual tonemultiple frequency (DTMF) as input modalities.

However, with DTMF, one is restricted to the number of digits on thephone, and remembering the mapping (digit to commands) can becometedious. Also, pressing digits may not be natural to a command (forexample, scrolling the scroll bar on a website is more natural thanpressing ‘1’ to go down, ‘2’ to go up, etc.). Similarly, with a speechinput modality, remembering the mapping (words to commands) can becometedious, such techniques are language dependent, and one is restrictedto speech recognition accuracy. Consequently, a need exists for improvedmeans for controlling a voice site through all kinds of phones,independent of the platform.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Principles and embodiments of the invention provide techniques forcontrolling a voice site using non-standard haptic commands. Anexemplary method (which may be computer-implemented) for controlling avoice site using a haptic input modality, according to one aspect of theinvention, can include steps of validating a haptic input from aninstrument capable of accessing a voice site, processing the hapticinput on a server to determine a voice site command corresponding to thehaptic input, and processing the voice site command at the server tocontrol an interaction with the voice site.

One or more embodiments of the invention or elements thereof can beimplemented in the form of a computer product including a tangiblecomputer readable storage medium with computer useable program code forperforming the method steps indicated. Furthermore, one or moreembodiments of the invention or elements thereof can be implemented inthe form of an apparatus including a memory and at least one processorthat is coupled to the memory and operative to perform exemplary methodsteps. Yet further, in another aspect, one or more embodiments of theinvention or elements thereof can be implemented in the form of meansfor carrying out one or more of the method steps described herein; themeans can include (i) hardware module(s), (ii) software module(s), or(iii) a combination of hardware and software modules; any of (i)-(iii)implement the specific techniques set forth herein, and the softwaremodules are stored in a tangible computer-readable storage medium (ormultiple such media).

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed descriptionof illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connectionwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating example haptic commands that can begiven as input to a phone, translating to some control on a voice siteon a server, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a process flow diagram illustrating an example embodiment,according to an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating techniques for controlling a voicesite using a haptic input modality, according to an embodiment of theinvention; and

FIG. 4 is a system diagram of an exemplary computer system on which atleast one embodiment of the invention can be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Principles of the invention include controlling a voice site on a serverusing non-standard haptic commands. In one aspect of the invention,non-standard haptic input mechanisms such as tapping and/or scratching aphone instrument are used and sent to a server for processing, therebycontrolling the voice site and/or its components. By way of example, thecommands can be natural movements such as scratching a finger downwardsto progress forward in a voice site. Accordingly, the input mechanismsdetailed herein are easy for a user to remember, language independentand can be carried out from any phone (that is, no special feature isneeded).

Additionally, the input mechanisms and commands can include thefollowing examples: tapping the instrument being used to call to enablethe voice signal produced to control the voice site on the server;scratching the instrument being used to call in upward direction toenable the voice signal produced to control the voice site on theserver; and scratching the instrument being used to call in downwarddirection to enable the voice signal produced to control the voice siteon the server. The sound produced by the tapping or scratching thedevice is processed as normal audio through the phone's microphone. Whenthis audio reaches the server, it is filtered and processed (see, forexample, FIG. 2) to determine if it is a valid haptic input. After thevalidation, the input is processed to invoke the corresponding voicesite command mapped for that haptic input.

One aspect of the invention also includes controlling voice site volume,tempo of the audio, and/or navigation forward/backward within the audiovia use of the input mechanisms detailed herein. By way merely ofexample, a scratching down input could result in a command to lower thevolume, slow the tempo or move/progress forward. Similarly, a scratchingup input could result in a command to raise the volume, increase thetempo or move/progress backward (rewind).

Further, one aspect of the invention includes discovering a VoiLink on avoice site by hearing a tap whenever the Voilink is accessible. This‘tap’ sound is generated by the voice site in the background whenever aVoilink is present. Also, in one embodiment of the invention, music isplayed by the Voicesite in the background to make the user aware of theperiod until the VoiLink is accessible. Alternatively, there can be atimeout associated with the tap; for example, a number of millisecondsafter the tap when the Voilink is available to be accessed. This timeoutwill be a configurable attribute of any Voilink on a voice site.Accessing a VoiLink on a voice site could be accomplished via one of theinput mechanisms described herein as well (for example, by tapping theinstrument, before the timeout, to indicate the intention to access thelink).

Additionally, in one aspect of the invention, an iterative inputmechanism can be used as a command. For example, a user can tap on thephone instrument and the number of the taps determines the command beinginvoked on the server end (on the voice site). By way of example, onetap can indicate fast forward, two taps can indicate fast forward atdouble the speed, and so on. One embodiment of the invention alsoincludes mapping haptic inputs (tapping, scratching, etc.) totraditional input modalities such as DTMF and speech forinteroperability with all voice sites.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating example haptic commands that can begiven as input to a phone, translating to some control on a voice siteon a server, according to an embodiment of the present invention. By wayof illustration, FIG. 1 depicts a user listening to spoken web contentin step 102 and hearing a Voilink cue generated in step 104.Additionally, step 106 includes tapping the phone to follow a link onthe spoken web (for example, accessing the immediately precedingVoilink), and step 112 includes continuing to browse on the spoken web.Also, step 108 includes making a determination that a playback isoccurring too slowly, step 110 includes scratching continuously to setthe correct tempo of the playback and step 112 includes continuing tobrowse on the spoken web.

FIG. 2 is a process flow diagram illustrating an example embodiment,according to an aspect of the invention. Step 202 includes a userinteraction with a phone device (for example, interacting with acomponent on the back-of-the-device). Step 204 includes capturing audioproduced from the haptic input (such as tapping or scratching) by thedevice microphone, and the audio is sent out from the phone's microphoneto a voice site server, specifically to a filtering module in step 206and to a recognizer module in step 208. The filtering module performsnoise removal, windowing and a spectrum analysis on the audio, and therecognizer module classifies the audio to determine if the audio is avalid haptic input (that is, an instant classification and/or ahigher-level classification). After the validation/recognition, theaudio input is processed to invoke the corresponding voice site commandmapped for that haptic input in step 210. Additionally, step 212includes playing the updated audio content and step 214 includes acontinuation of the spoken web browsing.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating techniques for controlling a voicesite using a haptic input modality, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. Step 301 includes transmitting the input audio/voicesignal (produced by user's haptic input) to a voice site server via amicrophone audio mechanism of a phone instrument. Step 302 includesacknowledging and validating the haptic input via the voice site server(that is, haptic input from an instrument capable of accessing a voicesite). This step can be carried out, for example, using a filteringmodule and/or a recognizer module. As detailed herein, a haptic inputmodality can include a tap of a finger, a scratch by a finger, etc.Additionally, a haptic input modality can include an iterative hapticinput modality.

Step 304 includes processing the haptic input to determine a voice sitecommand corresponding to the haptic input. Processing the haptic inputto determine a voice site command corresponding to the haptic input caninclude processing a scratching down input to identify a command ofdecreasing volume, decreasing tempo, and/or navigating forward.Processing the haptic input to determine a voice site commandcorresponding to the haptic input can also include processing ascratching up input to identify a command of increasing volume, increasetempo, and/or navigating backward. Additionally, processing the hapticinput to determine a voice site command corresponding to the hapticinput can include processing a tap input to identify a command ofaccessing a VoiLink on a voice site.

Step 306 includes processing the voice site command to control aninteraction with the voice site. This step can be carried out, forexample, by the voice server via calling the voice site command directlyas a result of processing the haptic input.

The techniques depicted in FIG. 3 can additionally include discovering aVoiLink on a voice site via acknowledgement of an audio signal (such asa voice-site-generated ‘tap’ sound) when the Voilink is accessible (forexample, to notify a user of a Voilink while content is being played).In one aspect of the invention, a time-limited audio is played in thebackground after a notification of the VoiLink to indicate a duration inwhich the user can access the Voilink. Further, an aspect of theinvention also includes mapping a haptic input modality to one or moreseparate input modalities (such as DTMF/Speech) to achieveinteroperability with a voice site. In this case, the voice serveritself simulates a DTMF or Speech input based on the haptic command.

The techniques depicted in FIG. 3 can also, as described herein, includeproviding a system, wherein the system includes distinct softwaremodules, each of the distinct software modules being embodied on atangible computer-readable recordable storage medium. All the modules(or any subset thereof) can be on the same medium, or each can be on adifferent medium, for example. The modules can include any or all of thecomponents shown in the figures. In one or more embodiments, the modulesinclude a voice server, a filtering module, a recognizer module, and aSpeech/DTMF recognizer module that can run, for example on one or morehardware processors. The method steps can then be carried out using thedistinct software modules of the system, as described above, executingon the one or more hardware processors. Further, a computer programproduct can include a tangible computer-readable recordable storagemedium with code adapted to be executed to carry out one or more methodsteps described herein, including the provision of the system with thedistinct software modules.

Additionally, the techniques depicted in FIG. 3 can be implemented via acomputer program product that can include computer useable program codethat is stored in a computer readable storage medium in a dataprocessing system, and wherein the computer useable program code wasdownloaded over a network from a remote data processing system. Also, inone or more embodiments of the invention, the computer program productcan include computer useable program code that is stored in a computerreadable storage medium in a server data processing system, and whereinthe computer useable program code are downloaded over a network to aremote data processing system for use in a computer readable storagemedium with the remote system.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentinvention may be embodied as a system, method or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the formof an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or anembodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in a computer readable medium havingcomputer readable program code embodied thereon.

An aspect of the invention or elements thereof can be implemented in theform of an apparatus including a memory and at least one processor thatis coupled to the memory and operative to perform exemplary methodsteps.

Additionally, an aspect of the present invention can make use ofsoftware running on a general purpose computer or workstation. Withreference to FIG. 4, such an implementation might employ, for example, aprocessor 402, a memory 404, and an input/output interface formed, forexample, by a display 406 and a keyboard 408. The term “processor” asused herein is intended to include any processing device, such as, forexample, one that includes a CPU (central processing unit) and/or otherforms of processing circuitry. Further, the term “processor” may referto more than one individual processor. The term “memory” is intended toinclude memory associated with a processor or CPU, such as, for example,RAM (random access memory), ROM (read only memory), a fixed memorydevice (for example, hard drive), a removable memory device (forexample, diskette), a flash memory and the like. In addition, the phrase“input/output interface” as used herein, is intended to include, forexample, one or more mechanisms for inputting data to the processingunit (for example, mouse), and one or more mechanisms for providingresults associated with the processing unit (for example, printer). Theprocessor 402, memory 404, and input/output interface such as display406 and keyboard 408 can be interconnected, for example, via bus 410 aspart of a data processing unit 412. Suitable interconnections, forexample via bus 410, can also be provided to a network interface 414,such as a network card, which can be provided to interface with acomputer network, and to a media interface 416, such as a diskette orCD-ROM drive, which can be provided to interface with media 418.

Accordingly, computer software including instructions or code forperforming the methodologies of the invention, as described herein, maybe stored in one or more of the associated memory devices (for example,ROM, fixed or removable memory) and, when ready to be utilized, loadedin part or in whole (for example, into RAM) and implemented by a CPU.Such software could include, but is not limited to, firmware, residentsoftware, microcode, and the like.

A data processing system suitable for storing and/or executing programcode will include at least one processor 402 coupled directly orindirectly to memory elements 404 through a system bus 410. The memoryelements can include local memory employed during actual implementationof the program code, bulk storage, and cache memories which providetemporary storage of at least some program code in order to reduce thenumber of times code must be retrieved from bulk storage duringimplementation.

Input/output or I/O devices (including but not limited to keyboards 408,displays 406, pointing devices, and the like) can be coupled to thesystem either directly (such as via bus 410) or through intervening I/Ocontrollers (omitted for clarity).

Network adapters such as network interface 414 may also be coupled tothe system to enable the data processing system to become coupled toother data processing systems or remote printers or storage devicesthrough intervening private or public networks. Modems, cable modem andEthernet cards are just a few of the currently available types ofnetwork adapters.

As used herein, including the claims, a “server” includes a physicaldata processing system (for example, system 412 as shown in FIG. 4)running a server program. It will be understood that such a physicalserver may or may not include a display and keyboard.

As noted, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in a computer readable medium havingcomputer readable program code embodied thereon. Also, any combinationof one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computerreadable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computerreadable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, forexample, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical,electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, ordevice, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specificexamples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage mediumwould include the following: an electrical connection having one or morewires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory(RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compactdisc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magneticstorage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In thecontext of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be anytangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or inconnection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing an appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent invention may be written in any combination of at least oneprogramming language, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages. The program code may execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. Accordingly, an aspect of the inventionincludes an article of manufacture tangibly embodying computer readableinstructions which, when implemented, cause a computer to carry out aplurality of method steps as described herein.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, component, segment,or portion of code, which comprises at least one executable instructionfor implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also benoted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted inthe block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example,two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

It should be noted that any of the methods described herein can includean additional step of providing a system comprising distinct softwaremodules embodied on a computer readable storage medium; the modules caninclude, for example, any or all of the components detailed herein. Themethod steps can then be carried out using the distinct software modulesand/or sub-modules of the system, as described above, executing on oneor more hardware processors 402. Further, a computer program product caninclude a computer-readable storage medium with code adapted to beimplemented to carry out one or more method steps described herein,including the provision of the system with the distinct softwaremodules.

In any case, it should be understood that the components illustratedherein may be implemented in various forms of hardware, software, orcombinations thereof; for example, application specific integratedcircuit(s) (ASICS), functional circuitry, an appropriately programmedgeneral purpose digital computer with associated memory, and the like.Given the teachings of the invention provided herein, one of ordinaryskill in the related art will be able to contemplate otherimplementations of the components of the invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition ofanother feature, integer, step, operation, element, component, and/orgroup thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

At least one embodiment of the invention may provide one or morebeneficial effects, such as, for example, providing input mechanismsthat are language independent.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

1. A method for controlling a voice site using a haptic input modality,wherein the method comprises: validating a haptic input from aninstrument capable of accessing a voice site; processing the hapticinput on a server to determine a voice site command corresponding to thehaptic input; and processing the voice site command at the server tocontrol an interaction with the voice site.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein a haptic input modality comprises a tap of a finger.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein a haptic input modality comprises a scratchby a finger.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein processing the hapticinput to determine a voice site command corresponding to the hapticinput comprises processing a scratching down input to identify a commandof one of decreasing volume, decreasing tempo, and navigating forward.5. The method of claim 1, wherein processing the haptic input todetermine a voice site command corresponding to the haptic inputcomprises processing a scratching up input to identify a command of oneof increasing volume, increase tempo, and navigating backward.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein processing the haptic input to determine avoice site command corresponding to the haptic input comprisesprocessing a tap input to identify a command of accessing a VoiLink on avoice site.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: discovering aVoiLink on a voice site via acknowledgement of an audio signal generatedby the voice site to notify a user of a Voilink while content is beingplayed.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein a time-limited audio is playedin a background after a notification of the VoiLink to indicate aduration in which the user can access the Voilink.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, wherein a haptic input modality comprises an iterative hapticinput modality.
 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising: mapping ahaptic input modality to one or more separate input modalities toachieve interoperability with a voice site.
 11. The method of claim 1,further comprising: providing a system, wherein the system comprises atleast one distinct software module, each distinct software module beingembodied on a tangible computer-readable recordable storage medium, andwherein the at least one distinct software module comprises a voiceserver, a filtering module, a recognizer module, and a speech or DTMFrecognizer module executing on a hardware processor.